MESA, Ariz. (Mar. 12, 2009) – A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS) celebrated commencement ceremonies for four online programs Saturday, March 7 at 10 a.m. at the Phoenix Convention Center.

A total of 292 graduates earned either master of science or doctoral degrees in ASHS’ Human Movement, Physician Assistant Studies, Audiology, and Physical Therapy programs. “Once again, it was exciting to watch health professionals attain a higher degree with the intention of making a difference in the care of their patients,” said ASHS Dean Randy Danielsen, Ph.D., PA-C, DFAAPA.

“Phoenix should be very proud of hosting this event,” said ATSU Provost Craig M. Phelps, D.O., FAOASM. “Graduates and their families from across the country gathered at a wonderful venue, on a beautiful Arizona day to celebrate their achievement.”

Founded in 1995, ASHS is committed to educating and preparing its students to practice at the forefront of a rapidly growing healthcare system. “Graduation is a wonderful opportunity to both celebrate the accomplishments of our students and recognize their much-needed contribution to healthcare throughout the community and the nation,” said ATSU Associate Provost O.T. Wendel, Ph.D.

As part of the commencement ceremony, an honorary doctor of humane letters degree of was awarded to keynote speaker William Kohlhepp, D.H.Sc., PA-C. Dr. Kohlhepp is associate professor of physician assistant education at the Quinnipiac University PA program in Hamden, Conn., and practices part-time in New Haven, Conn.

Dr. Kohlhepp encouraged graduates to embrace their professional values throughout their careers by focusing on patients, other health professionals, the public, and themselves. “Your time at ATSU has likely immersed you in the mission of the University which includes a number of professionalism values, so you may be well on your way,” he said. “The work you will be doing will be challenging and rewarding. You will save lives, you will heal bodies and minds; you will touch hearts. You will make a difference.”

Dr. Kohlhepp has published numerous articles on clinical and professional topics. He served on the board of directors of the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants, serving as chair in 2006. He is past president of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, a distinguished fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), and was recently recognized as PA of the Year by the AAPA.

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. (Mar. 6, 2009) – Since 2001, A.T. Still University has sought to recognize members of our community who best personify the community-giving spirit of ATSU’s founder, Andrew Taylor Still, M.D., D.O., and who help our community grow and prosper through exemplary leadership and the spirit of volunteerism through its annual Still Spirit Awards.

Each year, ATSU requests nominations from the community and a panel evaluates each nomination based on a statement of support provided by nominators.

The 2009 Still Spirit Award nominees are Lisa Archer, Northeast Regional Medical Center; Sue Barrett, Kirksville R-III School District; Debi Boughton, Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce; Donna Brown, Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce; Vera Burk; Lt. Col. (ret.) Ralph Cupelli, Truman State University; Judy Duden, Kirksville R-III School Board; John Garlock, KTVO; Dr. Janet Gooch, Kirksville R-III School Board and Truman State University; Kenneth E. Hayes, community volunteer; Glenda Hunt, Adair County Public Library; Todd Kuhns, City Council and Truman State University; Mari Macomber, City of Kirksville; The Honorable Rebecca McClanahan, 2nd District State Representative, Missouri House of Representatives; Jill and Mac McCord, Cottage Grove Bed & Breakfast; Alex Meneely, Organization of Kirksville Skateboarders; Troy Mihalevich, Adair County Ambulance District; Heather Mitchell, Century 21; Bob Moore, Northeast Regional Medical Center; Vern Playle, Davis-Playle Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home; Dale and Sharon Schenewerk, United Way of Adair County; E. Gene Schneider, Former Adair County Commissioner; Annette Sweet, Ameren UE; Janie Theobald, Mary Immaculate Catholic School; and John Wichmann, Pagliai’s owner and community volunteer.

All nominees will be recognized and award recipients announced at the Still Spirit Awards Reception and Ceremony to be held Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at Truman State University’s Georgian Room, located in the Student Union Building, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend this special event. The cost is $20 per person or $35 per couple. Dinner and dessert will be served, and RSVPs are required. For questions regarding nominees or to RSVP for the 2009 Still Spirit Awards Reception, contact Virginia Halterman, ATSU Communications & Marketing, at 660.626.2544 or vhalterman@atsu.edu.

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. (3/5/09) – The Corporation for National and Community Service honored A.T. Still University (ATSU) with a place on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary service efforts and service to America’s communities.

“This wonderful award is very meaningful to our students and faculty, who practice every day what our mission promises: to educate healthcare professionals who continuously develop and demonstrate compassion,” said ATSU President Jack Magruder, Ed.D. “Serving the community is a natural and fundamental part of what we do here, and it is extremely gratifying to receive this honor.”

Launched in 2006, the Community Service Honor Roll is the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement. Honorees for the award were chosen based on a series of selection factors including scope and innovation of service projects, percentage of student participation in service activities, incentives for service, and the extent to which the school offers academic service-learning courses.

During 2008, ATSU students and faculty members provided nearly 4,000 hours of community service on both ATSU’s Missouri and Arizona campuses. The Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM) in particular has one service-learning elective course where 45 students served as court appointed special advocates, serving 60 children in the CASA program.

“In this time of economic distress, we need volunteers more than ever. College students represent an enormous pool of idealism and energy to help tackle some of our toughest challenges,” said Stephen Goldsmith, vice chair of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service, which oversees the Honor Roll. “We salute KCOM for making community service a campus priority, and thank the millions of college students who are helping to renew America through service to others.”

Overall, the Corporation honored only six schools with Presidential Awards. In addition, 83 were named as Honor Roll With Distinction members and 546 schools as Honor Roll members. In total, 635 schools were recognized. A full list is available at www.nationalservice.gov/honorroll.

The Honor Roll is a program of the Corporation, in collaboration with the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation. The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll is presented during the annual conference of the American Council on Education.

“I offer heartfelt congratulations to those institutions named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. College and university students across the country are making a difference in the lives of others every day – as are the institutions that encourage their students to serve others,” said American Council on Education President Molly Corbett Broad.

Recent studies have underlined the importance of service-learning and volunteering to college students. In 2006, 2.8 million college students gave more than 297 million hours of volunteer service, according to the Corporation’s Volunteering in America 2007 study. Expanding campus incentives for service is part of a larger initiative to spur higher levels of volunteering by America’s college students. The Corporation is working with a coalition of federal agencies, higher education and student associations, and nonprofit organizations to achieve this goal.

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. The Corporation administers Senior Corps, AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve America, a program that supports service-learning in schools, institutions of higher education and community-based organizations. For more information, visit www.nationalservice.gov.

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – The inaugural class at A.T. Still University’s School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (SOMA), who are scheduled to graduate in 2011, set out in September to community health center campuses (CHCs) across the country that will become their homes for the next three years of their medical education. The School’s ground-breaking contextual learning model places medical students in clinical settings in their second year and, by all accounts, the new model is showing strong signs of success.

“Overall, everything is going quite satisfactorily,” said SOMA Dean Douglas Wood, D.O., Ph.D., regarding the students’ first few months off-campus. He further indicated that feedback from the CHCs, learning facilitators, and students is very positive. Initial feedback also indicates that SOMA students have arrived at the clinics well-prepared for the new clinical setting. “Physicians at the clinical sites are consistently amazed at the amount of knowledge that our students have,” said Dr. Wood. “Because of how our curriculum is set up, we expect nothing less.”

Provost Craig M. Phelps, D.O., FAOASM, ’84, visited sites in Brooklyn, New York, and Beaufort, S.C., to see firsthand how students are progressing. “It is humbling to see how well our students are embraced by the faculty, staff, administration, and most importantly, patients, at their community health center campuses,” said Dr. Phelps. “It is a testament to how well the educational model is working.”

SOMA leadership is not taking their initial success lightly, or for granted. Dr. Wood was quick to point out that SOMA has a strong system in place to monitor progress. Along with phones, email, podcasts, video, and other electronic communication, it is SOMA’s priority to send one of the School’s five deans to each clinical site twice a year to monitor and report progress. Between September and January, eight formal site visits had been completed. The other three sites have received informal visits and are slated for a formal evaluation in the near future. “It is important to have a new set of eyes at each location on a regular basis,” said Dr. Wood.

SOMA student Vanessa DeSousa, OMS II, confirmed that she felt well-prepared when she first started in her clinic in Porterville, Calif. “All of the [first year] OSCEs and medical skills practice, as well as OPP lab, have really helped me to interact with patients appropriately,” she said.

For students at the CHCs, roughly 60 to 70 percent of their time is still spent in didactic education. Each of the 11 campuses has a learning facilitator and a classroom for ongoing instruction. The remaining 30 to 40 percent of their time is spent in the clinic setting, seeing patients who often present the very health issues and illnesses that they are learning about in class.

“When I can put a patient face to the name of a disorder, disease, syndrome, etc…, it stays with me,” said DeSousa. “In addition, having a seasoned physician to talk to about each patient really helps me learn the important clinical and basic science concepts.

“I have had several experiences already where a patient presents with exactly what we are talking about in our basic sciences,” she continued. “It makes sense to learn in the context in which we will be practicing. Physicians have commented that we know a lot already, and that we are very lucky to have early clinical exposure.”

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. (2-18-09) – On February 18, 2009, the Site Visit Team of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) reported its preliminary recommendation to accredit A.T. Still University (ATSU) for 10 years, the longest period possible. The highlight of assessing ATSU’s Missouri and Arizona campuses was positive feedback on student learning, teaching effectiveness, and evidence of a unique learning culture consistent with the mission of ATSU. The HLC team also acknowledged the great work the University is doing in community service, particularly with underserved populations. In addition, the preliminary report noted ATSU’s ongoing efforts to become a more cohesive University. A different team will return in two years for a focused visit to review implementation of those ongoing efforts.

The HLC will send its formal report to ATSU President Jack Magruder within the next few months. The February 18 exit report of the Site Visit Team was a very positive outcome for the University; the review process, beginning with presentation of evidence to the Commission in a written document in December 2008 and culminating with the Visit Team’s exit report, was the first full accreditation review of ATSU since it became a University in 2002 and thus marks a significant milestone for the institution.

“The excellent result is due to the hard work of all constituents of the institution who participated in the process and who helped make the University what it is; I am grateful to all members of the faculty, student body, staff, administration, alumni, and greater ATSU communities,” said President Magruder.

Founded in 1892 in Kirksville, Mo., by A.T. Still, M.D., D.O., as the American School of Osteopathy, the School underwent name changes as it grew in size and reputation, becoming the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM) in 1971. KCOM has graduated more than 15,000 physicians in its 117-year history and has worldwide recognition as the founding institution of osteopathic medicine. KCOM is now one of the five schools on two campuses which comprise A.T. Still University. Its other schools are the School of Health Management (in Kirksville), the School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, and the Arizona School of Health Sciences (all located on ATSU’s Mesa, Ariz., Campus).

The Higher Learning Commission, a Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, is an independent oversight agency which awards accreditation to degree-granting institutions in the United States and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The 10-year accreditation for ATSU is the HLC’s highest award.

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. (2-19-09) – The A.T. Still University (ATSU) Board of Trustees met in Mesa, Ariz., on February 7 for its first meeting of 2009. The board received copies of financial reports and the proposed 2009-10 operating budget.
Prior to Saturday’s meeting, the Board’s Investment and Finance Committees met on February 6 to discuss financial reports.

Tuition Adjustments

The board approved an overall 3.8 percent tuition increase for the entire University for the 2009-10 fiscal year, including its five schools on both its Missouri and Arizona campuses: Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM), School of Health Management (SHM), School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (SOMA), Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ASDOH), and Arizona School of Health Sciences (ASHS). Any increases in tuition were made to account for rising fixed costs, and no fees were raised.

Honorary Degrees

The board approved an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters (D.Hu.L.), for William Kohlhepp, D.H.Sc., PA-C, to be presented at ASHS’ commencement ceremony March 7 at the Phoenix Convention Center. The board also approved two honorary degrees to be presented May 16 at KCOM’s commencement ceremony at Truman State University’s Baldwin Hall Auditorium. The D.Hu.L. will be presented to Missouri Gov. Jeremiah W. “Jay” Nixon, and the Doctor of Osteopathic Education (D.O.Ed.) will be presented to Plato Varidin, D.O.

Arizona Campus Housing Project

The board addressed several proposals for the Intergenerational Village for Healthy Living, a concept to explore new, meaningful, and mutually beneficial ways ATSU and the Mesa community can interact. The concept is one of an active, learning centered, intergenerational, residential, urban village built upon interactions within the Arizona Campus and the Arizona Health & Technology Park. The village will include student and senior housing, as well as a YMCA currently under construction.

Proposed educational projects for the Intergenerational Village for Healthy Living include educating youth coaches on care of athletes, fall prevention for seniors, community health surveys and screenings, geriatric exposure and experience for health professions students, and public education on ATSU, osteopathic medicine, healthy lifestyles, and more.

The next ATSU Board of Trustees meeting will be held May 8-9 in Mesa, Ariz.

MESA, Ariz. (2-23-09) – Nearly 800 individuals in need received free health screenings and services at the second annual Free Family Health & Wellness Day, held at San Marcos Elementary School in Chandler, Ariz., on February 21.

A.T. Still University (ATSU) co-sponsored the event with the Chandler CARE Center and the BHHS Legacy Foundation. Families from the Chandler community were offered free health services such as physical exams, hearing and vision screenings, dental sealants, and vital health recordings, all of which were performed by students from ATSU’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ASDOH), Arizona School of Health Sciences (ASHS), and School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (SOMA).

“The event was a great success. We surpassed the number of patients seen last year by 43 percent,” said Beth Poppre, assistant vice president for student & alumni services at ATSU. “Our partnership with the Chandler CARE Center is such a positive experience for our students and employees. Events like this exhibit ATSU’s mission of compassion and dedication to improving healthcare.”

The Free Family Health & Wellness Day offered a clothing drive, music and entertainment, arts and crafts, and the opportunity to meet the Phoenix Suns Gorilla. After health screenings were completed, families collected one bag of groceries for every service they received.

“The Free Family Health & Wellness Day event shows what can be done for our community when organizations and individuals put their collective efforts to work. Our neighbors received much needed services from more than 170 students, faculty, staff, and community partners,” said ATSU Provost Craig M. Phelps, D.O. “By giving our time and resources, everyone at ATSU benefits from knowing and feeling the University is making a difference locally.”

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. (Feb. 26, 2009) – The 2009 Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges includes 77 A.T. Still University (ATSU) students who have been recognized as national outstanding campus leaders. These students join an elite group of students from more than 2,000 institutions of higher learning in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several foreign nations.

Students with outstanding academic achievement, service to the community, leadership in extracurricular activities, and potential for continued success have been recognized in the annual directory since its first publication in 1934.

Arizona Campus

Fifty-two students located on ATSU’s Mesa, Ariz., Campus were honored with the 2009 Who’s Who recognition. Nine attend ATSU’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ASDOH) Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) program, and include Brian Banks, Jacqueline Clary, Lauren Companioni, Casey Jones, Shelly Kitain, Julia Laskin, Brock Lorenz, Robert Matthews, and Robert Trujillo.

Three students attend its Arizona School of Health Sciences (ASHS) Audiology (Au.D.) program, and include Kristen Carr, Jason Leyendecker, and Diana Prow. Four students attend ASHS’ Occupational Therapy (M.S.) program, and include Kristel Croffoot, Hok Lau, Melissa Puzzella, and Karisa Tomkinson. Eight attend ASHS’ Human Movement (M.S.) program, and include Robert Gantz, Tamera Gingerella, Maureen Parker, Katherine Rubio, Kerrianne Sand, Matthew Schirm, Danielle Shaner, and Helen Strom-Olsen. Three attend ASHS’ Athletic Training (M.S.) program, and include Amy Jennings, Matt Kuehl, and Mariel Yakuboff. Two students attend ASHS’ Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) program, and include Bethanie Romney and Lindsy Tribe. Fourteen attend ASHS’ Physician Assistant Studies (M.S.) program, and include Kelly Brannin, Candice Burkart, Joanna Carlsen, Katie Fearno, Kate Ferreira, Melissa Gebhardt, Shea Hilger, Megan Hoover, Rebecca Ketcher, Kristen Owens, Scott Rogers, Thomas Sirrine, Cassie Springer, and Tauni Urdahl.

Nine are students of ATSU’s School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (SOMA) Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) program, and include Christopher Chin, Carlann DeFontes, Brian Grimwood, Anne Halsey, Heather McArthur, Jonathon Osgood, Arjun Patel, Jacob Porter, and Russell Roberts.

Missouri Campus

Twenty-five students located on ATSU’s Kirksville, Mo., Campus were honored with the 2009 Who’s Who recognition. Thirteen of ATSU’s Who’s Who students attend its Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM) Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) program, and include Emily Ermis, Jason Fletcher, Erik Gulbrandsen, Shannon Haught, Ingrid Hoden, Jusin Pace, Georgeanne Raftopoulos, Matthew Shupe, Paul Sibley, Kalista Trombley, David Van Wyck, Joel Virkler, and Erica Waddington. Daniel Felling attends KCOM’s Biomedical Sciences (M.S.) program.

Eleven are students of ATSU’s online School of Health Management (SHM), and include Jeanine English, Jamila Ivy, Adam Ley, Elizabeth Lopez, Darrin McDermott, Abigail Mitchell, Mozella Moore, Tenna Nelson, Lucinda Shipley, Steven Tostrick, and Sheila Weagle.

About A.T. Still University

Home of the world’s first osteopathic medical school, founded in 1892, A.T. Still University is a leading educator in multidisciplinary healthcare founded on the principles of whole-person care. Recognized around the world for its integrated approach, ATSU equips students with the knowledge, compassion, and hands-on experience needed to address the needs of the whole person.

ATSU offers graduate and professional school programs in healthcare fields at the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM) and the online School of Health Management (SHM), located on its Kirksville, Mo., Campus, and at the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ASDOH), the Arizona School of Health Sciences (ASHS), and the School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (SOMA), all located on its Mesa, Ariz., Campus.

To learn more about A.T. Still University, visit www.atsu.edu.

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. (2-26-09) – In recognition of Northeast Regional Medical Center’s (NRMC) long-time support of A.T. Still University (ATSU), ATSU President Jack Magruder presented NRMC Chief Executive Officer Robert J. “Bob” Moore with the Diplomat Award ($50,000-$99,000 lifetime giving) on February 25 at the hospital.

“We are thankful for the partnership [between ATSU and NRMC] and the wonderful contribution from NRMC,” President Magruder said.

The majority of NRMC’s giving results from a $50,000 pledge to the University in 2004 during the Community Campaign for building ATSU’s Connell Information Technologies Center (CITC). NRMC’s pledge was completed in May 2007. With NRMC’s support, the $12.5-million CITC held its open house in September 2007.

In February 2008, Associate Director of Development Jodie O’Brien presented Moore and NRMC with the Distinguished Patron Award ($25,000-$49,000 lifetime giving).